Miami University - Recensio Yearbook (Oxford, OH)

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Photographskinn Howell LEFT: After dinner softball games are popular in the spring. ABOVE TOP: AI- most every student inevitably brings a bicycle to campus. ABOVE: Up- perclossmen sometimes Iook down on f reshmen ways. 23

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It was a time for adjustment. From towns and cities in Ohio, and from many other states in the country, freshman students came to Oxford during August for their first taste of university life. For many, it was the first time they had been completely in- dependent from the family and hometown friends. Students were forced to quickly lea rn to deal with the academic and social conditions of the schooL Freshmen began the year with the traditional convocation in Millett Hall on the evening before the start of classes in the fall. There they were re- ceived by President Shriver and other administrators of the university. The cheerleaders and the band presented entertainment for the new students of the school. The walk to Millett in- cluded the usual ratings of the women 22 CAmPUS NEWCOmERS by fraternity members whose houses bordered Talawanda Avenue. Thus the event was seen as entertainment by many of the upperclassmen as well. For incoming freshmen, one deci- sion which had to be made was whether to join a Greek social organi- zation. Women interested in the activ- ity were present on campus one week before the beginning of the beginning of the academic year to rush the uni- versity so rorities. It was a time ma rked by hurried introductions and brief summaries of pre-college involvement and interests. Men, on the other hand, experienced the hectic activities of rush during the beginning of the sec- ond term. For them, membership of- fered an alternative residence for the sophomo re year. The academic adjustment was for many freshmen one of the most dif- ficult. The intensity of study required for university classes did not always correspond with the work style known previous to entering Miami. The size of some classes was also a source of culture shock. Ultimately, after a few weeks in Ox- ford, freshmen looked for sources of entertainment and non-academic in- volvement. Intramural sports and campus organizations were important for fulfilling this need. The newest students to the university soon ad- justed completely to campus life, set in a path which would define their Ox- fo rd expe riences. Brad McConnell ABOVE: Football games mean spirit as this enthusiastic Emerson Hall cheering section displays.

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While freshmen were busy adapting to the complexities of university life, upperclassmen e already attuned to the campus lifestyle - were con- cerned with other realms of activities. For them, dealing with Oxford and the university required different adapta- tions. Upperclassmen, after learning to cope with the loads of studying, were many times interested in finding other areas of involvement to fill the time not used for academic purposes. In- volvement was also seen as important for resumes -- students knew that employers looked for extra-curricular involvement, as a sign that students could handle a heavy load, and that interests lay beyond the major field of study. Many students worked for pub- lications, social fraternities, and entertainment-programming organiza- tions. Residence life took many forms for the upperclassmen. As non-freshmen, they were given the opportunity to live in either dorms or apartments. The residence halls of the university were of two types: traditional sex- segregated dorms, or co-educational dorms such as Flower and Hahne. Many upperclassmen also were given the chance to live in fraternity houses. Despite the distance from campus, another alternative was perhaps the most popular -- apartment living. Complexes of apartments in the Ox- ford area were jammed with students wishing to have more freedom than that allowed by the dorms. But along with independence came inconveni- ences - students choosing to live off-campus were forced to prepare their own meals, to walk farther to campus, and to assume responsibility for the bills incurred for utilities and food. Other concerns were of importance to upperclassmen. As graduation year approached, employment became a matter of worry. In order to justify four years of continued education, many students desired a job directly related to their major. For this reason, interviewing through the office of Ca- reer Planning and Placement took up a great deal of free time during the fourth yea r. Upperclass status brought with it different problems and matters of priority. Nevertheless, it was a time long to be remembered as one of the most fulfilling and independent in the individual's life. Brad McConnell iHE MLUE OF EXPERIENCE